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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 10, 2005
Aeropostale, Inc.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
Delaware 001-31314 31-1443880
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (IRS Employer
incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
112 West 34th Street, 22nd Floor, New York, New York 10120
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
(646) 485-5398
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):
|_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2 (b))
|_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c))
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ITEM 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On March 10, 2005 Aeropostale, Inc. issued a press release
announcing their fourth quarter and fiscal 2004 earnings results.
ITEM 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
C) Exhibits
99.1 Press release, dated March 10, 2005, announcing fourth
quarter and fiscal 2004 earnings results.
SIGNATURES
According to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Aeropostale, Inc.
/s/ Michael J. Cunningham
--------------------------------
Michael J. Cunningham
Executive Vice President - Chief
Financial Officer
Dated: March 10, 2005
Exhibit 99.1
Aeropostale Reports RECORD FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
New York, New York, March 10, 2005 --- Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO), a
mall-based specialty retailer of active and casual apparel for the teen market,
today reported record results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended
January 29, 2005.
Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 was $35.3 million or $0.62 per
diluted share. Fourth quarter earnings were reduced by $2.8 million or $0.05 per
share due to a non-cash expense adjustment related to a correction in the
Company's lease accounting policy. Excluding this one-time adjustment, fourth
quarter earnings were $38.1 million or $0.67 per share (see exhibit D), which
represents an increase of 42.6%, compared to $0.47 per share in the fourth
quarter of last year.
Net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 20.0% to $327.1
million versus $272.6 million in the comparable period. Comparable store sales
for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 increased 1.9% versus an increase of 8.5%
in the same period in the prior year.
Julian R. Geiger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our record fourth
quarter results, which once again exceeded expectations, represent a great way
to end an excellent year for our company. Our continued focus on gross margin
improvement and operating margin expansion enabled us to translate our 20% gain
in sales into a significantly higher increase in earnings per share."
Net income for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2005 was $84.1 million or $1.47
per diluted share. Excluding the lease accounting correction, fiscal 2004
earnings were $87.0 million or $1.52 per share (see exhibit D), which represents
an increase of 63.4%, compared to $0.93 per diluted share in the prior year.
Net sales for fiscal year ended January 29, 2005 increased 31.2% to $964.2
million, compared to net sales of $734.9 million for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2004. Comparable store sales increased 8.7% for the full year,
compared to an increase of 6.6% in the prior year.
Mr. Geiger concluded, "Fiscal 2004 was an outstanding period for Aeropostale. We
successfully executed our strategic plan and continued to enhance our platform
for long-term growth. We also
broadened our brand awareness, delivered great product to our customers,
executed our new store openings plan with precision and maintained our
competitive edge in the marketplace. Looking forward, we will continue to
deliver trend right product at compelling values, to strengthen our operations
and to grow our store base by approximately 100 new stores. Our performance in
February indicates that we have already experienced a strong start to fiscal
2005 and we are excited about the opportunities in the year ahead and beyond."
GUIDANCE:
The company announced its earnings guidance for the first quarter of fiscal
2005. The company noted it is comfortable with the current First Call consensus
estimate of $0.15 per diluted share and expects to achieve a high-single digit
increase in comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The
first quarter guidance represents an increase of 36.4%, compared to earnings per
share of $0.11 in the same period last year.
NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:
In June of 2004, the Company acquired the rights to and existing registrations
for the JIMMY'Z(R) brand and trademarks in the United States and Canada for
clothing and related goods and services. The company anticipates opening an
initial group of Jimmy'Z stores in July of this year. Jimmy'Z is a California
lifestyle-oriented brand targeting trend-aware, young women and men aged 18-25.
During fiscal 2005, the company anticipates opening approximately 14 Jimmy'Z
stores in various regions of the United States.
The company will also be launching its e-commerce business by the end of the
second quarter of fiscal 2005. The Aeropostale Web store will be accessible at
www.aeropostale.com.
LEASE ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
In connection with the recent clarification by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") of existing accounting literature related to lease
accounting, the company has completed a review of its lease accounting policies.
As a result of that review, the company has corrected an error and recorded a
one-time, non-cash, pre-tax rent charge of $4.7 million ($2.8 million, after
tax) in its fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 related to the timing of rent expense
for its store leases during the pre-opening construction period. Previously, the
company had followed a prevailing retail industry practice in which it began
recording rent expense at the earlier of the time a store opened or the rent
payments commenced. The company will now be recording rent expense when it takes
possession of a store, or approximately 60 days prior to the store opening. This
will result in an acceleration of rent expense during that pre-opening period.
The above-mentioned charge unfavorably impacted net income per share by $0.05
for both the fourth quarter and fiscal 2004. The charge was cumulative, and $0.5
million after tax, or $0.01 per share, was related to fiscal 2004, and $2.3
million after tax, or $0.04 per share, was related to prior periods. The
company's financial statements for prior periods will not be restated due to the
immateriality of this issue to the company's results of operations and
statements of financial position and cash flows for the current year or any
individual prior year. This correction will not impact historical or future cash
flows or timing of payments under related leases and is not expected to have a
material impact on future earnings. The company has reviewed these conclusions
with their independent auditors and Audit Committee.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION:
The Company will be holding a conference call today at 4:15 P.M. to review its
fiscal 2004 fourth quarter results. The broadcast will be available through the
`Investor Relations' link at www.aeropostale.com and at www.fulldisclosure.com.
To listen to the broadcast, your computer must have Windows Media Player
installed. If you do not have Windows Media Player, go to the latter site prior
to the call, where you can download the software for free.
About Aeropostale, Inc.
-----------------------
Aeropostale, Inc. is a fast growing, mall-based, specialty retailer of casual
apparel and accessories, principally targeting 11 to 18 year-old young women and
men. The company provides customers with a focused selection of high-quality,
active-oriented, fashion basic merchandise at compelling values. Aeropostale
maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, marketing and
selling all of its own merchandise. Aeropostale products are currently purchased
only in its stores or at organized sales events at college campuses. Starting
this summer, Aeropostale will also be selling its products on-line through its
website (www.aeropostale.com).
The first Aeropostale store was opened in 1987. The company currently operates
561 stores in 43 states.
SPECIAL NOTE: THIS PRESS RELEASE AND ORAL STATEMENTS MADE FROM TIME TO TIME BY
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPANY CONTAIN CERTAIN "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS"
CONCERNING EXPECTATIONS FOR SALES, STORE OPENINGS, GROSS MARGINS, EXPENSES,
STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND EARNINGS. ACTUAL RESULTS MIGHT DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM
THOSE PROJECTED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. AMONG THE FACTORS THAT COULD
CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO MATERIALLY DIFFER INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, CHANGES IN THE
COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW PRODUCTS OR PRICING
CHANGES BY OUR COMPETITORS, CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND OTHER EVENTS LEADING TO A
REDUCTION IN DISCRETIONARY CONSUMER SPENDING; SEASONALITY; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
CHANGES IN SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND OTHER CONDITIONS AND THE POSSIBLE
ADVERSE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
UNCERTAINTY RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT ITS GROWTH
STRATEGIES, AS WELL AS THE OTHER RISK FACTORS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S FORM
10-K AND CURRENT REPORTS ON FORM
8-K, FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES
NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES.
EXHIBIT A
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
January 29, January 31,
2005 2004
-------- --------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ........................ $106,128 $138,356
Short-term investments ........................... 76,224 --
Merchandise inventory ............................ 81,238 61,807
Other current assets ............................. 15,897 12,284
-------- --------
Total current assets .......................... 279,487 212,447
Fixtures, equipment and improvements, net .......... 122,651 92,578
Other assets ....................................... 3,681 2,023
-------- --------
TOTAL ASSETS ....................................... $405,819 $307,048
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable ................................. $ 44,858 $ 30,477
Accrued expenses ................................. 52,136 41,091
-------- --------
Total current liabilities ..................... 96,994 71,568
Other non-current liabilities ...................... 70,574 49,787
Stockholders' equity ............................... 238,251 185,693
-------- --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY ......... $405,819 $307,048
======== ========
EXHIBIT B
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
SELECTED STORE DATA
(in thousands, except per share and store data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
13 weeks ended
--------------
January 29, 2005 January 31, 2004
% of sales % of sales
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales (1) ........................................ $327,090 100.0% $272,642 100.0%
Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and
warehousing expenses) ................................ 213,977 65.4 182,680 67.0
-------- ----- -------- -----
Gross profit ......................................... 113,113 34.6 89,962 33.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses ......... 56,172 17.2 45,088 16.5
-------- ----- -------- -----
Income from operations ............................... 56,941 17.4 44,874 16.5
Interest income, net ................................. 642 0.1 261 0.1
-------- ----- -------- -----
Income before income taxes ........................... 57,583 17.5 45,135 16.6
Income taxes ......................................... 22,315 6.7 17,613 6.5
-------- ----- -------- -----
Net income ........................................... $ 35,268 10.8% $ 27,522 10.1%
======== ===== ======== =====
Basic net income per share........................... $ 0.63 $ 0.49
======== ========
Diluted net income per share......................... $ 0.62 $ 0.47
======== ========
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding* 55,563 56,099
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding* 56,822 58,544
STORE DATA:
Comparable store sales 1.9% 8.5%
Stores open at end of period 561 459
Total gross square footage at end of period 1,978,406 1,611,669
</TABLE>
* - as adjusted for 3-for-2 stock split effected April 26, 2004
(1) - Net sales for the period ended January 29, 2005 were reduced by $1.2
million reflecting a reclassification from cost of sales related to accrued
sales returns.
EXHIBIT C
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
SELECTED STORE DATA
(in thousands, except per share and store data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
52 weeks ended
--------------
January 29, 2005 January 31, 2004
% of sales % of sales
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales (1) ........................................ $964,212 100.0% $734,868 100.0%
Cost of sales (including certain buying, occupancy and
warehousing expenses) ................................ 644,305 66.8 505,152 68.7
-------- ----- -------- -----
Gross profit ......................................... 319,907 33.2 229,716 31.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses ......... 183,977 19.1 141,520 19.3
-------- ----- -------- -----
Income from operations ............................... 135,930 14.1 88,196 12.0
Interest income, net ................................. 1,438 0.1 760 0.1
-------- ----- -------- -----
Income before income taxes ........................... 137,368 14.2 88,956 12.1
Income taxes ......................................... 53,256 5.5 34,702 4.7
-------- ----- -------- -----
Net income ........................................... $ 84,112 8.7% $ 54,254 7.4%
======== ===== ======== =====
Basic net income per share........................... $ 1.51 $ 0.99
======== ========
Diluted net income per share......................... $ 1.47 $ 0.93
======== ========
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding..* 55,735 54,758
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding* 57,255 58,287
STORE DATA:
Comparable store sales 8.7% 6.6%
</TABLE>
* - as adjusted for 3-for-2 stock split effected April 26, 2004
(1) - Net sales for the period ended January 29, 2005 were reduced by $1.2
million reflecting a reclassification from cost of sales related to accrued
sales returns.
EXHIBIT D
AEROPOSTALE, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME AND DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE
(in thousands, except per share data)
13 weeks ended 52 weeks ended
January 29, 2005
Per Per
diluted diluted
Net income share Net income share
---------- ------- ---------- -------
As reported ..................... $35,268 $0.62 $84,112 $1.47
Lease correction charge* ........ 2,849 0.05 2,849 0.05
------- ----- ------- -----
Excluding lease correction charge $38,117 $0.67 $86,961 $1.52
======= ===== ======= =====
*See the section "Lease Accounting Policies" in this press release.